Jason Collett keen on Portelli pair for autumn

Multiple Group 1 winner Fangirl and star colt Militarize will be among the big guns in action at the Warwick Farm trials this week when a host of autumn hopefuls step up their preparations.

The high-class Chris Waller duo will both be making their second trial appearances of the year, alongside stablemates Atishu, Buckeroo and Victoria Derby winner Riff Rocket.

But Waller won’t be the only trainer with a strong hand in the session.

Gary Portelli will have two of his stable’s leading lights in action, filly Kimochi making her first public appearance of the year over 900-metres, while Golden Rose runner-up Encap continues his autumn build-up in a separate heat.

Both will be ridden by Jason Collett, who was impressed by Encap’s first trial earlier this month.

“I trialled him first trial back and I loved the way he trialled and the type of horse he was,” Collett said.

“I’m looking forward to riding him.

“He will do a bit more at the next trial. He’s exciting.”

Encap was one of the surprise packets of the spring, winning the Ming Dynasty Quality (1400m) before his Golden Rose (1400m) placing.

Portelli has indicated he will be aimed towards either the Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) or Australian Guineas (1600m) in Melbourne.

Kimochi was also competitive against the best of her age as a spring three-year-old, filling the minor placings in all six starts, including behind Tropical Squall in the Group 1 Flight Stakes and Joliestar in the Thousand Guineas.

Collett was aboard for her four Princess Series runs and is looking forward to seeing how the filly has come back this time around, admitting she will need to raise the bar again.

“I’m excited to see how she has come back. She obviously had a good campaign without quite getting the big one, which we would have liked,” Collett said.

“But she will get a good chance to get one this preparation.

“She will need to keep improving, there are new horses on the scene and if we stop, we’re going to be overtaken.”

Kimochi will step out in a talent-laden trial that includes evergreen campaigner Cascadian, exciting colt King’s Gambit and comeback filly Learning To Fly.